Author's Note: This is technically the last chapter. However, since some things are still left unanswered, there will be a short epilogue, and the sequel will start to appear in mid-August. Thanks as always to the usual people for their encouragement, and to everyone who has sent me reviews during the course of this piece.

Disclaimers: [insert the usuals here}. Title and song lyrics at the end belong to some songwriter, but since i know the song When I Fall in Love as sung by Nat King Cole, i will just attribute the song to him.

*****
And the Moment...
*****

CHAPTER 10: WHEN I FALL IN LOVE


Abby yawned, wishing that her injuries didn't restrict her movement so much. She would kill for a good stretch right about now. The grogginess from the painkillers still left her feeling fuzzy, but she was alert enough to hate the confinement of the CCU bed. There was one other patient in the room, a surgical patient of Elizabeth Corday's. Sometimes when Elizabeth came to check on the young man, she would stop and chat briefly with Abby. Often Carter or her mother was there, sometimes Susan dropped by, and Eric called every few days.

But she was still going stir crazy.

Maggie appeared in the doorway of the CCU, looking very cheerful. Abby was mystified by her mother's behavior. She had never seen Maggie so...well...normal. She expected her to snap any minute. Something arrived at John's home for you this morning. Her mother was balancing an unwieldy cardboard box.

What's that?

It's from Eric. Maggie set the package on the edge of Abby's bed and used a key to slice the packing tape open. Inside there was a stack of magazines and books on tape, plus a Walkman and a huge pack of double-A batteries. Included was a note that simply stated, Bored yet?

Abby grinned. He knows me, she said happily. She glanced at her mother, who was concentrating on a letter. She recognized, but couldn't make out her brother's writing. What's he saying? she queried.

Maggie started, then hastily folded the letter up and tucked it into her handbag. He's, uh, just talking about planes and such. Asking how you are. You know.

Abby knew her mother was lying but didn't comment. Where's Carter?

He is out on an errand. He said he'll bring you something good for lunch, though.

I'd kill to be able to go visit the ER, Abby murmured, then commented on her own words, I can't believe I just said that.

Well surely they can give you a wheelchair to go down there? Maggie asked.

If I could leave I wouldn't still be here, her daughter snapped.

Okay, I'm sorry, Maggie became defensive. She changed the subject. Let's see what kinds of things Eric sent you.

She started pulling the books on tape from the box, scattering them on the rolling table so that Abby could see them. There were about twenty of them, varying from classic literature and poetry up to some romance novels that Maggie herself had read many times.

Do you want to listen to one now? Maggie suggested.

Why not, Abby said unenthusiastically. However, she perked up a little as she spotted one title she knew well. Leaves of Grass, she smiled, gesturing to the tapes. Maggie loaded the batteries into the walkman, and tucked the first tape into it. She started to put the headphones onto Abby's head until Abby reached up and took them from her with her good hand.

I can do it, Mom, she insisted impatiently. Maggie realized that she was threatening Abby's firm independence and backed off, watching as Abby awkwardly but successfully arranged the headset on herself with only one hand.

Smiling a little, proud that her daughter could take care of herself, Maggie spoke. I'm going to go get some food.

Abby was already lost in the Walt Whitman poetry.

*****

Carter, his arms laden with take-out bags from House of Blues, entered the hospital through the ER to pass off part of his burden to Susan.

You're a lifesaver! she exclaimed, digging into the food.

So I've been told, he joked. See you later.

Entering Abby's room, he found her engrossed in music and a People magazine. She spotted him and held up the magazine with a lopsided grin. I usually hate these, she commented. But I'm bored enough to read them.

What are you listening to? he responded.

She looked confused, then hit the stop button on her portable tape player.

Carter repeated his question. Abby replied, Leaves of Grass. Eric sent me a bunch of books on tape. she eyed his paper bags in interest. What'd you bring to wash this down with? she gestured to the remnants of her hospital-food lunch.

Something special to celebrate, he replied.



I found us a new apartment, he explained.

she queried.

Because you won't be able to get up the steps when you're out. This one is on the ground floor. We have a year's sublease on it.

She gazed at him warmly. He thinks of everything, she thought to herself. No wonder I love him.

Love him.

Yes, she admitted it to herself. She loved him.

What are you thinking, he asked, afraid that she would be mad at him for not consulting her on the apartment.

How much I love you, she said simply.

Abby saw Carter's eyes widen in surprise, heard the sharp intake of breath.

It was the first time either had said the words.

The food lay forgotten next to Abby's half-eaten lunch as Carter sat gently on the bed and took her hand, tears forming in his eyes.

I was so afraid I was going to lose you, he said, his voice thick with emotion. And never get to tell you what you mean to me. Abby, you are my world.

Something caught in Maggie's throat as she stood unnoticed in the doorway, observing the tender scene between her daughter and the young man she was already thinking of as a son. She smiled softly and went down the hall into the little waiting room to give the couple some privacy.

I wouldn't let myself say it until I knew you felt the same. Carter was struggling to speak through the surge of emotion. But the moment I could feel that you feel the same way... he trailed off. He didn't need to finish.


*****


...And the moment
i can feel that
you feel that way too

is when i fall in love
with you




THE END....OR IS IT??????